When Jennifer Lawrence landed the iconic role of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, she was immediately confronted with a disturbing question: “How much weight do you plan to shed?”
In a candid conversation with fellow Academy Award winner Viola Davis for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, Lawrence delved into the challenges she encountered after securing the lead in the dystopian movie series.
She expressed, “Taking on The Hunger Games was a significant responsibility.
The books had a massive following, especially among young audiences.
The prevalent topic of discussion revolved around weight loss.”
She acknowledged her own growth and the struggle of not being able to adhere to a strict diet regimen.
Lawrence emphasized her concern for young fans who might aspire to emulate Katniss and feel pressured to conform to certain body standards.
Throughout her involvement in the four-film franchise, Lawrence consistently addressed the unhealthy dialogues surrounding her physique within the role.
She adamantly stated in an interview with Elle in 2013, “I will never starve myself for a character.
I refuse to perpetuate the notion that young girls should sacrifice meals to resemble a fictional character like Katniss.
During my preparation, my focus was on attaining a fit and robust physique, not a frail and malnourished one.”
Reflecting on a revealing incident during a Vanity Fair cover feature in 2018, Lawrence recounted a distressing encounter where she was asked to strip down alongside other actors for evaluation by a producer who urged her to slim down.
She shared her contemplation on the extreme measures some roles demand, confessing, “I often pondered what it would take for me to undergo severe dieting and hunger, as I had never resorted to such extremes for a film.
While working on The Hunger Games, I was advised to shed pounds, but instead, I stumbled upon Jack in the Box.
It was only during Red Sparrow in 2018, a spy thriller, that I truly experienced hunger and maintained discipline.
Portraying an ex-ballerina necessitated embodying that physicality authentically.”
Lawrence’s experiences shed light on the pervasive issue of body image expectations in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning the pressure on actors
